Netanyahu Warns of Expanding Iranian Missile Threat, Calls for Global Action

Jerusalem, March 2026 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday issued a strong warning about Iran’s growing missile capabilities, stating that recent attacks demonstrate Tehran’s ability to strike far beyond the Middle East and pose a serious threat to Europe and the wider international community.

Speaking during a visit to the southern Israeli city of Arad, which was hit by Iranian missiles a day earlier, Netanyahu said the past 48 hours had provided clear evidence of the scale of the threat. He alleged that Iran had deliberately targeted civilian areas and accused it of using missile strikes as a “weapon of mass murder.”

“Fortunately, no lives were lost in the recent attack, but that was due to sheer luck, not a lack of intent,” he said, emphasising that the intended targets were civilians. According to Israeli authorities, the missile strike in Arad left at least 115 people injured, including nine who were reported to be in serious condition.

Netanyahu further revealed that Iran had launched an intercontinental ballistic missile towards Diego Garcia, a strategic UK-US military base in the Indian Ocean. He noted that the missile’s estimated range of around 4,000 kilometres highlights Iran’s ability to strike deep into Europe. He also referenced earlier incidents, including alleged missile activity affecting regions such as Cyprus, to underscore what he described as an expanding threat radius.

For years, Israel has raised concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile programme, arguing that such capabilities—particularly if paired with nuclear technology—could endanger not only Israel but also European nations. Netanyahu reiterated this long-standing position, saying recent developments have validated those warnings.

The Prime Minister also drew attention to missile incidents in Jerusalem, particularly near its highly sensitive religious sites. He noted that fragments from intercepted Iranian missiles had fallen dangerously close to landmarks such as the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher—sites sacred to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity respectively. While no casualties were reported in these incidents, he described the proximity of the strikes as deeply alarming.

Netanyahu also accused Iran of attempting to disrupt global stability by threatening key maritime and energy routes. He claimed that such actions amount to “blackmail” of the international community and warned that the implications extend far beyond the immediate region.

Reiterating Israel’s strategic alignment with the United States, Netanyahu said both countries are acting not just in their own defence but “on behalf of the entire world.” He welcomed calls by Donald Trump for stronger international action against Iran, urging other nations to step up their response.

“This is not only about the security of Israel and the United States,” he said. “It is about the security of the entire world, and now is the time for decisive action.”

Responding to questions from reporters, Netanyahu stated that Israel’s military response to recent attacks has been “forceful” but maintained that operations are not directed at Iranian civilians. He outlined two primary objectives: dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, and eliminating its capacity to produce key components required for those systems.

He also spoke of a broader political goal—creating conditions that could enable the Iranian people to challenge their current leadership. Describing the regime as oppressive, he expressed hope that internal change could eventually emerge.

As tensions continue to escalate, Netanyahu’s remarks highlight the growing international dimension of the conflict, with concerns mounting over its potential to destabilise not only the Middle East but also global security frameworks.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)